Why did McCain give into the extremist in the party ? Can't he think for himself ?

Question

The Republicans seem to have little for people with different views from them . It just seems McCain gave in so easy . Can't McCain think for himself ?

Answer 1

Yep, just two years ago he said: The religious right has too much power in our government."

Now he chooses a dame who thinks it a good idea to impose the death penalty on women seeking abortion. And for those of you that can still think, the word 'seeking' should be noted. A thought crime.

Answer 2

He probably was thinking for himself.  But strategy always counts.  I can't say I agree with the VP pick, but as a strategy to court maligned Hillary supporters who are the undecideds, it's smart.

Answer 3

McCain's problem is he's a Republican.  That sounds like a joke, but it's a legit problem for him.  In the Republican party, the extreme fringes of the party hold way too much power.  They can, and do dominate the issues within their party and exclude moderate voices.  And these people have never trusted McCain, who at one time had a reputation of being an independent thinker.

So the situation in 2008 is John McCain has been browbeaten into reversing nearly every ideological position he's ever held or articulated.  He's now openly opposing or promising to vote against legislation that he himself has sponsored.  He's turned to the same group of people that just 8 years ago slimed him and his immediate family in order to get George Bush into the White House to run his campaign.  McCain used to talk about how bad lobbyists are, but now they write his policy positions.  It's not that he can't think for himself, it's that if he did, his party would destroy him.  The man quite literally can't lead his own party.

And now he's gone with Palin trying to make a play for the female vote.  There are a number of highly qualified female Republicans out there, like Kay Bailey Hutchinson or Olympia Snowe or even Condoleezza Rice.  But Palin is pretty and non-intimidating and quirky, and the party extremists love her, so now she might be a heartbeat away from the Presidency if McCain wins.

Answer 4

Palin's "...articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking..."

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/01/31/b...

AND CHANGE NOT another Lawyer!

Answer 5

I am not so sure that he is the type to give in.  Who really knows.   Just like Obama who told him not to choose Hillary.  Or was it his decision.  

Answer 6

This is a bit obscure, but Presidential politics work this way:  During the primaries, the candidates pitch to the extreme wing of the party.  In this case, the body of the RNC realized this was the DNC's election to lose, to they went with a moderate over Romney or Huckabee.  Pallin pulls in more moderate votes (maverick, female, anti-party politics), though her social stand (anti-g*y marriage and abortion) helps sooth the most conservative of the party.

Answer 7

Up until now I saw no differnce in him or the other guy.

McCain did the first intelligent thing of his campaign, he chose a woman, feminist, military Mom, prolifer, team player and fiscal conservative who knows the executive branch of government.

He just swung my vote!

Answer 8

No.

Answer 9

Um, McCain does think for himself.  Unlike Obama, who is just a puppet for the Democrats, with his teleprompters and Biden whispering in his ear all the time now.

Answer 10

I agree with you. Women belong in the kitchen and behind the vacuum cleaner.And some times in the bedroom.McCain has made a big mistake with this woman.I guess he just doesn't think.

Answer 11

he can't remember how many homes he has !!!

Answer 12

no he cant think for himself

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;...

Answer 13

Hes too old to think! He lets BUSH do his thinking for him!